AGNELO PEREIRA
THE GOAN | MAPUSA
As Goa swelters under an unusually prolonged spell of heat, the Education Department appears to be taking a wait-and-watch approach, with no guidelines issued so far to protect schoolchildren from the punishing weather.
Despite the scorching conditions through September and October and the India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) warning of heatwave-like conditions, the department has neither issued an advisory nor considered a common heat-safety protocol for schools, leaving individual managements to decide what precautions, if any, are necessary.
Director of Education Bhagirath Shetye told The Goan that no decision had been taken so far, but the department would consider action if the situation demanded it.
“We will take a call in the matter in the interest of the students. We are aware of the unusual heat-like conditions in the State and expect the schools to take appropriate measures,” Shetye said.
He added that the department had not received any reports on the issue so far, but would take a call if the need arose.
With students attending classes for several hours a day, exposure to high temperatures can become a concern, particularly during outdoor physical education sessions, sports, school assemblies and other activities conducted under the open sky.
Sources said the department could consider advising schools to reschedule or suspend outdoor activities during the hottest hours, while allowing greater flexibility in school-level programmes depending on prevailing weather conditions.
A common heat-safety protocol could also spell out the precaution institutions should follow if the hot spell persists in the coming months.
The concern is already being voiced by parents, who believe educational institutions need to rethink outdoor activities rather than carry on with programmes as usual.
“With the scorching heat and dry weather, schools and colleges should rethink having sports this year and instead focus on indoor programmes like concerts and get-togethers,” said Cosme Fernandes, a parent from Aldona.
For parents, the concern is whether preventive measures will be put in place before the heat takes a toll on children, rather than after complaints or health-related incidents emerge.
With students spending several hours on school premises, the challenge for the authorities is to ensure that their health and safety are given priority, particularly if the unusually hot conditions persist.
